A centre midfielder can be the beating heart of a team.
There are obviously lots of different types of player in the middle of the park but they are generally the ones in the thick of the action. So whether you have a technical player who looks to dominate the ball, or more of a destroyer who does their best work out of possession, they’re so important.
In the Scottish Premiership, you can often be successful if you have a dog in the engine room, willing to put in endless running and do the dirty side of the game.
But there is still an appreciation for an easy-on-the-eye ball player in this country too.
Here, Not the Old Firm looks at some of the best performing centre midfielders so far at this early stage of the season.
Sivert Nilsen
Aberdeen have made a number of successful signings who have slotted into their side seemlessly, and Nilsen is a big one. Defensively, he is so good at screening the back four and limiting space for the opposition and he has shown himself to be pretty classy on the ball, too.
Graeme Shinnie
Doubts had arisen around the Dons captain last season with questions raised over whether he still had the same influence in his 30s. Shinnie has answered them this season, still his all-action self and forming a formidable partnership with Nilsen.
Lennon Miller
One of the outstanding players in the league at the age of just 18. The talented Motherwell teen makes things look so easy when in possession, can get goals and assists and is also good athletically. Can go far in the game.
Craig Sibbald
The Dundee United midfielder combines the dirty side of the game and the technical side well. Has played more minutes than anybody else in the Tangerines side that sits fifth.
Connor Randall
The Ross County skipper has been a big player for them this season, operating in the middle of midfield rather than at right-back. Covers a lot of ground and offers a lot defensively.
David Watson
Along with Miller, seen as of the top young prospects in the country and potentially a Scotland midfielder of the future. Scored his fair share of goals last season and still has that knack with a double rescuing a draw against Dundee United recently.
Lyall Cameron
Could perhaps be more consistent but there is a reason people talk about him as the next one to follow Luke McCowan in making a big move from Dundee. The 22-year-old is small in stature but doesn’t back down and is used in a more traditional centre midfield role Tony Docherty. Three assists so far this season.
Caolan Boyd-Munce
A classy operator in the middle of the park, the summer signing has been one of St Mirren’s best players and earned his first Northern Ireland caps off the back of it.